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Name:
Bagwell, Teresa Lynn
Date of Booking:
02/26/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Thursday, 2/26/26, at approximately 11:40 a.m., I, DFCS. Weaver 528, was called into the sergeant’s office by Sgt. Pim 553, to meet with a walk in to the uniform patrol division. Mitch McWorter and Matt Class, who are officers with Gilmer County Animal Control, were in the office with Sgt. Pim.
I walked in and they shared with me, they had a dog that they just picked up from [100 BLOCK] Adventure Trl, with a metal carabiner (typically used to secure connecting ropes, gear and equipment in climbing, sailing, industrial rigging, and rescue operations) through the front thick skin of the canines neck (throat area).
I activated my body camera, and the men shared with me they were at [100 BLOCK] Adventure Trl because Mitch had received a call from a junk removal service in reference to multiple canines left at the home after the tenants were evicted. Mitch stated there was a dog on a very short lead, so he picked him up and brought him up to the animal shelter. When they returned back to the animal shelter with the canine they removed the collar and noticed that there was a metal carabiner through his neck.
[REDACTED], manager of the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, stated on their incident report (#1685) the carabiner was “embedded in neck with chains hanging from it”, the carabiner, chains and lead have been turned into evidence (receipt #19970). [REDACTED] stated they were able to remove the carabiner and flush the wound with chlorhexidine, and the carabiner appeared to be pierced through the canines skin for months because of how the skin was healing around it.
Mitch, Matt, [REDACTED], and the Director of the Gilmer County Animal Shelter were able to identify the canine’s owners, Teresa Bagwell and Jerry Lancaster. There were also other canines at the residence, and animal control took possession of them.
All written statements have been turned in to uniform patrol division (UPD) secretary, and pictures have been sent to [REDACTED].
Mitch had Teresa and Jerry meet him at the Gilmer County Courthouse to sign the paperwork to surrender the canines, and while they were there, I placed both of them under arrest for OCGA 16-12-4 (c) felony aggravated animal cruelty. I handcuffed Teresa behind her back, checked for fit and double locked the handcuffs. I then had Teresa walk to the front of my patrol car where I searched her incident to arrest.
Teresa wanted to talk to me, so DFC Harter-Ray read Teresa her Miranda Rights. I had DFC Harter-Ray 526 put Teresa in the rear seat of my patrol car, where she was buckled in and rear camera activated. Teresa said she has never hurt her animals, and would never hurt them. I asked Teresa how the carabiner ended up through the skin of the canine and she said she found it like that when they came home one day.
I then placed Jerry under arrest, and DFC Harter-Ray handcuffed him in back, checked for fit, and double locked and transported him for me. I transported Teresa to the Gilmer County Adult Detention Center with no incident.
[End of Narrative]
The information below reflects all details available at the time of publication and was obtained directly from the official court database accessible to the public. Court records are subject to change at any time at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors, omissions, or discrepancies within the docket. No information provided should be construed as legal advice or opinion. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
There is a listed co-defendant in this case. Please see Jerry Lancaster for additional information.
2/26/26
TERESA LYNN BAGWELL ARRESTED AND BOOKED IN GILMER COUNTY
What this means: Teresa Lynn Bagwell was booked into custody in Gilmer County on this date. She is accused of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. This is the starting point of the court process for her case. A co-defendant, Jerry Lee Lancaster, is also named in connection with this matter.
2/26/26
MAGISTRATE COURT ISSUES BOND ORDER — CASE BOUND OVER TO SUPERIOR COURT
What this means: A Magistrate Court judge in Gilmer County reviewed Teresa Lynn Bagwell’s case and issued a bond order. The document indicates the case was bound over — meaning it was formally transferred — to the Superior Court of Gilmer County for further proceedings. The document also reflects that the defendant was informed of her rights, including her right to an attorney and her right to remain silent.
3/4/26
RULE NISI FOR BOND HEARING ISSUED
What this means: The Superior Court of Gilmer County issued a Rule Nisi — a formal court order directing Teresa Lynn Bagwell to appear before the court for a bond hearing. The order states that if she is incarcerated, she will appear via video link unless directed otherwise by the court. The hearing was set for 3/24/26 at 9:30 a.m. This hearing date was later superseded by the continuance order rescheduling the bond hearing. The order was distributed to the District Attorney’s office and the Office of the Circuit Public Defender.
3/10/26
BOND HEARING HELD — CONTINUED DUE TO TRIAL SCHEDULE
What this means: A bond hearing was scheduled for Teresa Lynn Bagwell in Gilmer County Superior Court. The hearing could not be completed on this date and was continued — meaning postponed — to 3/18/26, due to a trial already occupying the court’s schedule.
3/18/26
BOND HEARING HELD — CONTINUED BECAUSE WITNESS NOT PRESENT
What this means: Teresa Lynn Bagwell’s bond hearing was held again in Gilmer County Superior Court. The hearing was continued once more to 4/28/26, because a witness was not present. The court noted the witness’s absence as the reason for the delay.
3/18/26
ORDER FOR CONTINUANCE ENTERED
What this means: Judge Amy E. Stevenson of Gilmer County Superior Court signed a formal Order for Continuance in Teresa Lynn Bagwell’s case. The order reflects that the defense witness was not present when the case was called. The court noted that the bond hearing needs to be heard and that a panel of jurors needs to be agreed upon. The bond hearing was rescheduled to 4/28/26 at 11:00 a.m. Defense attorney Deer Hariel is listed as counsel for Teresa Lynn Bagwell at this stage.
4/12/26
ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FILED BY PUBLIC DEFENDER
What this means: The Office of the Circuit Public Defender for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit formally entered an appearance in Teresa Lynn Bagwell’s case in Gilmer County Superior Court, under case number SUW2026000085. This means attorney Clinton S. Hooker is now officially on record as the defense attorney representing Teresa Lynn Bagwell.
4/16/26
GRAND JURY INDICTS TERESA LYNN BAGWELL AND JERRY LEE LANCASTER
What this means: A Gilmer County grand jury formally indicted Teresa Lynn Bagwell and her co-defendant Jerry Lee Lancaster on one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals under O.C.G.A. 16-12-4(d), during the April Term 2026 of Gilmer Superior Court. The indictment, case number 2026 CR-97 BAS, accuses both defendants of allegedly maliciously causing physical harm to a mixed breed canine on 2/26/26 by allegedly piercing the animal’s skin and inserting a carabiner into the piercing. A true bill was returned, meaning the grand jury found enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.
4/21/26
SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR BOND RELEASE ORDERED
What this means: A judge in Gilmer County Superior Court set a bond of $10,000.00 for Teresa Lynn Bagwell, under case number SUCR2026000097, on the charge of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. The bond is returnable to 6/2/26 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gilmer County Courthouse. In addition to paying the bond amount, Teresa Lynn Bagwell must comply with several special conditions, including submitting to searches, not using or possessing any prohibited substances, not taking any controlled substances without a valid prescription, and obeying all laws. Failure to comply with these conditions could result in the bond being revoked.
4/28/26
BOND HEARING HELD FOR BOTH DEFENDANTS
What this means: A bond hearing was held in Gilmer County Superior Court for Teresa Lynn Bagwell and her co-defendant, Jerry Lee Lancaster. This was the rescheduled hearing that had been continued twice previously.
6/2/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED
What this means: Teresa Lynn Bagwell’s arraignment is scheduled for 6/2/26 at 11:00 a.m. in Gilmer County Superior Court. An arraignment is the court proceeding where a defendant is formally read the charges against them and enters a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is a standard next step after the bond process has been addressed.
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